🔗 Share this article

Upon being told to deliver an unprepared brief presentation and then count backwards in intervals of 17 – before a panel of three strangers – the intense pressure was evident in my expression.

That is because researchers were filming this somewhat terrifying situation for a research project that is examining tension using infrared imaging.

Tension changes the circulation in the facial area, and experts have determined that the drop in temperature of a individual's nasal area can be used as a gauge of anxiety and to monitor recovery.

Heat mapping, based on researcher findings behind the study could be a "revolutionary development" in anxiety studies.

The Research Anxiety Evaluation

The experimental stress test that I underwent is carefully controlled and purposely arranged to be an unexpected challenge. I visited the research facility with no idea what I was facing.

To begin, I was told to settle, unwind and experience white noise through a pair of earphones.

Thus far, quite relaxing.

Afterward, the investigator who was running the test brought in a panel of three strangers into the area. They all stared at me silently as the scientist explained that I now had a brief period to develop a five minute speech about my "dream job".

As I felt the heat rise around my throat, the scientists captured my complexion altering through their heat-sensing equipment. My nose quickly dropped in temperature – showing colder on the infrared display – as I thought about how to bluster my way through this unplanned presentation.

Scientific Results

The investigators have performed this same stress test on numerous subjects. In each, they observed the nasal area dip in temperature by between three and six degrees.

My nose dropped in temperature by a small amount, as my nervous system redirected circulation from my face and to my visual and auditory organs – a physiological adaptation to assist me in look and listen for danger.

The majority of subjects, similar to myself, recovered quickly; their nasal areas heated to normal readings within a few minutes.

Head scientist noted that being a journalist and presenter has probably made me "somewhat accustomed to being subjected to tense situations".

"You are used to the filming device and conversing with unfamiliar people, so it's probable you're relatively robust to public speaking anxieties," the scientist clarified.

"However, even individuals such as yourself, experienced in handling stressful situations, exhibits a physiological circulation change, so which implies this 'nose temperature drop' is a consistent measure of a changing stress state."

Anxiety Control Uses

Stress is part of life. But this revelation, the experts claim, could be used to aid in regulating damaging amounts of tension.

"The period it takes an individual to bounce back from this nasal dip could be an objective measure of how well an individual controls their stress," said the lead researcher.

"When they return exceptionally gradually, could that be a potential indicator of anxiety or depression? Is it something that we can tackle?"

Since this method is non-intrusive and records biological reactions, it could additionally prove valuable to track anxiety in newborns or in those with communication challenges.

The Mental Arithmetic Challenge

The subsequent challenge in my anxiety evaluation was, in my view, more challenging than the first. I was instructed to subtract sequentially decreasing from 2023 in steps of 17. One of the observers of expressionless people interrupted me each instance I committed an error and asked me to start again.

I admit, I am poor with doing math in my head.

During the uncomfortable period striving to push my mind to execute subtraction, my sole consideration was that I desired to escape the increasingly stuffy room.

Throughout the study, just a single of the 29 volunteers for the anxiety assessment did actually ask to leave. The rest, like me, completed their tasks – probably enduring different levels of embarrassment – and were rewarded with another calming session of background static through headphones at the end.

Non-Human Applications

Maybe among the most unexpected elements of the technique is that, since infrared imaging measure a physical stress response that is inherent within numerous ape species, it can also be used in other species.

The scientists are currently developing its use in sanctuaries for great apes, such as chimps and gorillas. They aim to determine how to reduce stress and enhance the welfare of creatures that may have been rescued from traumatic circumstances.

The team has already found that displaying to grown apes visual content of young primates has a soothing influence. When the researchers set up a display monitor close to the rehabilitated primates' habitat, they noticed the facial regions of creatures that observed the content increase in temperature.

So, in terms of stress, watching baby animals engaging in activities is the contrary to a spontaneous career evaluation or an impromptu mathematical challenge.

Future Applications

Using thermal cameras in ape sanctuaries could prove to be useful for assisting protected primates to become comfortable to a new social group and unfamiliar environment.

"{